US: US 'gravely concerned' about Ethiopia-Eritrea border clashes

Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The United States says it is "gravely concerned" about fighting that took place on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border on 12 and 13 June and called for restraint.

A press statement issued in Washington on Tuesday by Mr John Kirby, Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson for the US Department of State, said: "As both Ethiopia and Eritrea are party to the 2000 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and there cannot be a military solution, we call for both sides to exercise restraint and engage in political dialogue."

The US urged both Ethiopia and Eritrea to cooperate in promoting stability and sustainable peace in the region.

The two countries have been blaming each other over who started Sunday's fighting at their disputed border.

A peace deal in 2000 ended the two-year war border between the two countries but it has not been fully implemented.
-0- PANA MA 15June2016